Professional Learning Model in District 58

The needs and benefits of additional professional

learning time

Curricular implementations and updates▫ ELA in 2018-19▫ Science in 2019-20▫ Math in 2020-21 (pending committee work)▫ Social Studies in 2021-22 (pending committee work)

Improving Professional Practice▫ Development and implementation of new strategies▫ Opportunities to reflect and refine implementation

Highest quality student experiences▫ Consistent and immediate application of new learning▫ Teacher collaboration

▫ Harnesses the knowledge and skills of our staff▫ Yields fidelity and consistency district-wide

2

What does quality

professional learning

time look like?

Considered a number of models (Professional Learning Council)▫ Late Start

▫ Similar to D99 model▫ Transportation Challenges

▫ Half Days▫ Less Consistency ▫ Instructional impact (inequity of morning/afternoon times)▫ Inequity of art, music, pe instruction

▫ Additional Full Days ▫ Long periods of time between sessions▫ Diminished productivity? Information overload?▫ Not counted as part of official school calendar

▫ Early Release▫ Consistency for the community as well as staff▫ Frequency ▫ Flexibility

3

Successes in surrounding

districts

A survey of surrounding elementary districts garnered 24 responses▫ 23 of these use some kind of student release for

professional learning (half-day, late start, early release)▫ 1 district replied with late start▫ 5 districts replied with half-days▫ 17 districts replied with early release

▫ Westmont, Maerker, Darien, Bloomingdale▫ 11 districts with weekly early release

4

Creating consistent time for all

certified staff

Weekly (Monday) 2:00 pm student dismissal grades K-8

Professional Learning time 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. for all K-8 certified staff members▫ Preschool professional learning schedule is under

development based on the structure of the program (unique am/pm classes)

5

Three broad

categories

District-driven professional learning▫ Curriculum implementation▫ Instructional Strategies ▫ Technology integration

Building-driven professional learning▫ Building initiatives and goals▫ Student data analysis

Teacher-driven professional learning▫ Collaboration opportunities within the building and

across district▫ Peer-to-peer learning (across multiple buildings)

6

Impact on student

attendance calendar

Maintain:▫ 4 Institute Days (approved by ROE)

▫ Two days in August prior to start of school▫ 2 days during school year (typically November

and March)

Remove:▫ Two half-days (Sept/May)▫ Teacher work day (January)▫ Potential reduction in use of substitute

teachers

7

Impact on Instructional

Time

Plan as presented thus far would realize a reduction in student instructional time.

Adding 5 minutes to the student attendance day brings the difference in time to a negligible difference

Adding 10 minutes to the student day yields a gain in student instructional time

8

Other areas of impact

already under consideration

Transportation▫ Timing of routes▫ Cost differentials

After-school care▫ Champions▫ Local childcare agencies

After-school events▫ Band/Orchestra▫ Sports practices

Instructional Assistants

9

Next Steps Feedback▫ Have met with K-6 teachers▫ Meeting with middle school and

specialists Feb 15▫ Update at Feb 25th Curriculum

workshop (w/extended reception of visitors)

▫ Soliciting parent input on ways the district can support families as we transition to early release days

10

Supporting professional

learning with additional

staff

Curriculum Coordinator

▫ Position = .5 Elementary Assistant Principal/.5 Curriculum Coordinator

▫ Ultimate target = 4 part-time curriculum coordinator roles

▫ Developing plans for 2019-20 ▫ Consideration of budget implications

▫ Role development

▫ Timing of curricular initiatives

11

Supporting professional

learning with additional

staff

Curriculum Coordinator Responsibilities

Support of Curriculum Implementation▫ Committee/Council work▫ Becoming “point person” for new adoption▫ Providing direct support with instructional strategies

that accompany implementation ▫ Classroom/collaboration support for teachers▫ Curriculum support for principals▫ Working with instructional coaches

12

Benefits of Curriculum

Coordinator as an

administrative position

▫ Administrative calendar▫ Working with new teachers in August▫ Planning with curriculum department outside of

teacher work calendar

▫ Support for entire administrative team▫ Teacher observation and evaluation▫ Flexibility of schedule

13

Questions?